Kitchen Table Blogs
Name: Heather Dorsey
Kids: son, age 10; daughter, age 6
Works: relationship manager, The Vesper Service Network; freelance writer
Favorite part of being a mom: Unconditional love from my children.
Least favorite part of being a mom: Repeating myself. (I am speaking English, right?)
Famous for: Being the only mom on the block who can Rip-stick.
"She should talk as much as possible tonight."
Hello?! Did the orthodontist's assistant really just say that to my 7-year old daughter?
Miranda's face lit up. She had just been told to talk as much as possible. I bet she pictured an evening without being shushed, or asked to settle down, or told she should go play or "let mommy think for a minute." This quite possibly was one of the best night's of her life.
Now, I'm pretty sure that our orthodontist doesn't have children. Actually, he looks so young that I'm quite possibly old enough to be his mother. A scary thought. But not as scary as wondering what an evening of Miranda talking as much as possible may bring.
I know the assistant had good intentions. This new retainer was making it challenging for Miranda to pronounce certain words. Apparently, a lot of practice right off the bat would be helpful. But, geeze, a little warning would have been nice!
So I did what any smart, college-educated person would do, I pawned her off on her brother as soon as we got home: "Go talk to Riley."
Within two minutes of listening to his sister talk non-stop he announced he had homework to do. I said I had work to do. He said, "but mom, she's annoying."
Truthfully, the evening before we had biked to the library and her non-stop talking was delightful. "Mom, listen to the birds chirping! I love hearing the birds chirp!" "Mom, look how beautiful the trees are!" "Mom, that is the 12th dog we've seen so far!" I love her enthusiasm and joie de vivre.
I know there is a day when she won't want to talk with me so much. So, actually, I really don't mind it. And in the end, telling Miranda she should talk as much as possible, wasn't all that different than any other evening. Except, I suppose, when she went up to the TV and said, " Hey TV, what is your favorite color?"
Tags: kids
Permalink | Email This Blog